Travelbugs2.2

Thank you!

Thank you

do you know what currency they use on board when in UAE?

Hi

On a Middle East cruise from Dubai - the ship overnights in Dubai. 
Does the casino open when docked in Dubai or does it have to remain closed?

thanks

Thank you all -  much appreciated!

Hi

We are flying into FLL the evening pre-cruise ex Fort Lauderdale.

Could you please recommend a good hotel - closest to the airport / cruise port?

Thanks in advance!

Thanks to you all for your replies & help.    I think sutra option is probably the best option if we go with as the anytime dining is important to us. (Though I am still unsure why mean by includes speciality dining package!!)

could I also ask - do you know what the currency is on board with MSC? Or does it depend on the departure port?

The cruise we are currently looking at is from Port Canaveral  

thank you

9 minutes ago, smokey01 said:

Confused, I don’t believe it includes any discounts for speciality. Yes Aurea gives you anytime dining. If you are diamond you do get one free specialty meal

 

Thanks - I do find it very confusing !

we have gold status (matched from RCL & Celebrity status), but I don’t think that gets us any other benefits for dining?

Hi

we haven’t sailed with MSC before, so we’re just trying to understand the differences between the different ‘experiences’ to choose from.

The fantastica experience says it includes speciality restaurants package - but I’m not sure what that means exactly?

Does it include free speciality dining, or just a discount ?

Also - is the Aurea experience the only one that allows anytime dining?

any help and advice appreciated !

thank you

45 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

They match loyalty from hotels as well. Use your best. They matched my Marriott Titanium (lifetime) to Diamond.

Do you know if they will only provide loyalty match after you’ve booked -  or can we apply for loyalty match without a booking?

6 minutes ago, Nunagoras said:

 

Thank you so much for your help!

1 hour ago, ajoneen said:

Hi. Yes they match other cruise lines. There is a status match thread pinned to the top of the MSC board. Use your highest level when filling out the request. 

Thank you!

any idea about the drinks package?

Hi

We’ve never cruised with MSC before, so looking for some advice if possible!

Do MSC sell their drinks packages separately?  If so, how much are they? (Alcohol package).

And if a service charge applies also - what percentage is it?

Also, do they tend to do deals on the packages in advance (ie, but one get one free or a % off) or how / when is the best time to buy?

also, do MSC status match loyalty from other cruise lines?   We have Elite plus with Celebrity and Diamond with RCL

apologies for all the questions and any help / advice much appreciated!

many thanks

T

8 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

We are not fans of that arrival/departure time for SJ either. We usually skip itineraries that have us there that late bc I feel like we miss a night on the ship with closed shops and casino. We prefer SJ during the day though I’m sure there are some great things to do at night. Just not for us. 

Unfortunately I think we may give this one a miss - simply due to these port times.   Shame!

5 hours ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

We are on this cruise and the port times are correct. San Juan is always a late arrival and later departure.

Thank you.  I can’t recall San Juan ever being one of our stops before - we’ve just sailed out of SJ previously.

Bit concerned this would feel like another sea day - which can be crowded in the pool areas on Equinox?

Also - does this mean the casino won’t open till 11:30pm on the San Juan stop day?

Hi

We were planning on cruising on the Equinox dep September 2nd, but 2 of the port times seem very strange?

San Juan - arrive 4pm depart 11pm

Puerto Plata - arrive midday depart 6.30pm

Is this likely to be a mistake, or is there any reason why there would be such late arrival times in these ports?

I’ve never noticed or experienced such late arrival times from any vessel prior - so seemed very strange!

Seems like quite a waste of San Juan to arrive so late, and whilst I love Puerto Plata port - I’m conscious if other ships are in the same day, our late arrival may impact availability of beds somewhat.

Has anyone any experience of these times?

thanks

5 hours ago, poocher said:

I always went with cost.  Off site is cheaper so we did off site.  Last PC cruise I just didn’t have what I call the “bandwidth” to deal with it so we parked at the terminal.  OMG HALLELUJAH!!!  What a breeze!  More than worth the cost for the convenience.

Yeah - we’ve always parked off site in the past, and to be fair - never had any issues.   But for this one, we just figured, it’s Xmas, likely to be very busy, and anything that will save time and hassle on the way we’re happy to do!   

17 minutes ago, molly361 said:

Terminal one. Very easy. You pay as you enter 

Thank you!

Hi

We will be taking a cruise on Independence over Xmas, and plan to park at the port / terminal (rather than one of the off site parks).

which terminal does Independence sail from?

Also - is it very straight forward parking at these lots ? I assume no pre bookings required and we just pay on entry?

thanks

T

1 minute ago, Another_Critic said:

Yes, each Diamond member gets the benefit.

 

What is sufficient depends on many things (ship, location, weather, # of users, etc., etc.).

That’s great - thank you!

I’d be planning to use it on Coco Cay.   

1 minute ago, Another_Critic said:

24 continuous hours of Voom Surf* (or $25.99 off an onboard rest of voyage package). 

 

* Surf & Stream is an upcharge.

Hi

Do diamond members definitely get 24hrs free each?

I wasn’t sure if Royal had this benefit?

Would the voom surf be sufficient for what’sapp video calls?

26 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Surf may work, but the video may lag and be choppy- for a better experience, get Stream. 

Thanks for that!   Will go for the surf and stream so.

15 minutes ago, gumshoe958 said:

No material difference. You’ll be fine with the 1 person/2 devices package. It doesn’t matter who actually owns or uses the devices, you’ll be given two separate logins to use.

Thank you!

One other question ..

Would the surf package be sufficient for what’sapp video calls, or would be need the surf and stream package for that?

Hi

For upcoming 3 night cruise, the following options are avail;

I can choose 2 devices for 1 of us for $92.97, or we each choose 1 device,, at cost of $119.84?

I’m just getting a bit confused re what the difference is?

eg, if I choose 2 devices against my name, can I sign into my phone to use the package, and at the same time, my husband could sign into his phone (as device 2) under my name so we both have surf and stream on 2 devices,  at the same time?

or am I missing something?

11 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

That is a decent price considering everything, everywhere keeps going up.   I would purchase now and look on Black Friday sales.  If cheaper then cancel and buy at new pric

thank you!

If we were to book now, and cancel at a later date (if better deal seen) - do you know how long RCL take to process the refund?

thanks

Hi

we will be on the 3 night cruise ex PC Dec 23rd - Dec 26th.

Prices for the deluxe drinks package are currently €77.99 pp excl gratuities.

For the Xmas sailings - do drink packages remain higher, or is the cost of the package nothing to do with the sailing time of year?

I was hoping to get a ‘bargain’ of €55pp exc gratuities which I’ve got many times prior (but just never sailed these specific holiday dates)

Thanks

T